Dunkin' Donuts topples Starbucks in loyalty survey

March 5, 2007

Boston Herald: Dunkin' Donuts topped Starbucks for the first time in five years in Brand Key's annual survey of customer loyalty. Dunkin's scores rose in all…

Starbucks cuts back on shareholder perks

March 1, 2007

The State (South Carolina): For the last five years, Starbucks Corp. has sent shareholders a $3.50 gift card along with a copy of its annual report. This…

4Q net income quadruples at Taco Cabana parent

March 1, 2007

Syracuse, N.Y. — Carrols Restaurant Group Inc., which operates the Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana restaurant brands and is the largest Burger King franchisee…

Bruegger's desserts go trans-fat free

March 1, 2007

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Bruegger's has cut trans fat from its dessert line in all 255 bakeries, the company announced March 1.    Their trans-fat-free dessert…

Starbucks jumps on text-message trend

February 28, 2007

Seattle Times: Beginning today, mobile phone customers seeking the nearest Starbucks location can send a text message with their zip code to MYSBUX. A list of…

NYC rats expand dining options

February 28, 2007

NBC10 (Philadelphia): Rats have been filmed at a second New York restaurant, just days after more than a dozen were filmed scampering around a co-branded Taco…

Pei Wei Asian Diner intros Thai Dynamite

February 28, 2007

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Pei Wei Asian Diner has introduced its Thai Dynamite — a limited-time dish available as a salad or an entrée.   The Thai Dynamite Salad…

Noah's Bagels adds fair trade coffee

February 27, 2007

GOLDEN, Colo. — Noah's Bagels, a subsidiary of New World Restaurant Group Inc, is introducing Tribeca Blend, the brand's first certified organic and fair…

Increase customer communication

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

February 27, 2007

Effective e-mail list-management delivers the message.

Firehouse Subs eyeing Las Vegas expansion

February 26, 2007

Las Vegas Business Press: Fast-casual sandwich chain Firehouse Subs is planning to open 25 sandwich shops in the Las Vegas area over the next five years…

Quiznos rolls out new Prime Rib sandwich

February 26, 2007

DENVER — Sandwich chain Quiznos is adding a new Prime Rib on Garlic Bread toasted sub to its restaurants around the country.   The Prime Rib on Garlic Bread…

Quiznos franchisees claim continued struggles

February 26, 2007

New York Times: A group of Quiznos franchisees filed suit in Michigan Feb. 23 seeking class-action status over grievances including franchise fees and…

Mimi's Café launches kids menu

February 26, 2007

TUSTIN, Calif. — Mimi's Café has introduced an all-inclusive kid's menu to provide more meal options for children and parents.    According to a news…

Lenny's Subs plans Indy expansion

February 25, 2007

Memphis Business Journal: A Lenny's Sub Shops franchisee group is planning to open 28 locations of the Memphis-based concept in the Indianapolis area. The…

Taco Del Mar steps up expansion drive

February 22, 2007

Seattle Times: The Seattle-based Mexican fast-casual chain plans to open at least 100 new restaurants by the end of 2007. Next year the company hopes to open…

Peet's net off 30 percent

February 22, 2007

Emeryville, Calif. —Peet's Coffee & Tea Inc. reported that the company's net income fell by 30 percent in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 and by 2…

Red Robin 4Q net, revenues up

February 22, 2007

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo.— Comparable-store sales at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. increased 0.2 percent in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, while for the…

Starbucks stakes a claim on the corner grocery

February 21, 2007

MSNBC: Coffee giant Starbucks is moving into grocery stores and other retail outlets around the world. The company is slated to begin selling its coffee beans…

Chipotles fires up New York expansion

February 21, 2007

New York Business: Chipotle Mexican Grill plans to open a dozen new stores in the New York metro area in 2007, the company announced. Chipotle currently has…

Qdoba parents reports record quarter

February 21, 2007

SAN DIEGO — Jack in the Box Inc., which operates and franchises the Jack in the Box and Qdoba Mexican Grill restaurant concepts along with Quick Stuff…